Ian Wright CBE, chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation, said: “Many congratulations to each of the winners at tonight’s FDF Awards. Thanks to our diverse and vibrant industry, each of the applicants in every category all had something distinct to offer. Every entrant should be proud of their contribution to UK food and drink.
“Tonight’s FDF Awards prove that despite the uncertainty we have been facing in these difficult times, the UK food and drink industry is increasingly versatile and dynamic and in the best possible shape to face the challenges to come.”
Charity Fare Share won ‘Campaign of the Year’ for its Feed People First campaign that called on the Government to offer financial incentives for food businesses to make the cost of charitable food redistribution equal to that of sending food. This will ensure 270,000 tonnes of surplus food goes to those in the UK who are struggling.
Bags of Taste, sponsored by University of Lincoln, won the ‘Community Partner’ at the FDF 2019 Awards. The Combatting Food Poverty initiative aims to help disinterested participants change their eating habits in favour of cooking food from home.
Kellogg’s and Kerry Taste & Nutrition were the joint winners of the ‘Diet & Health’ award. Kellogg’s has reduced the amount of sugar in its Coco Pops and Kerry Taste helped address the consumer demand for health without compromising on taste.
PepsiCo International won the ‘Education Initiative’ award after they created The Curiosity Club, which increased STEM engagement (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in young people. The initiative introduced six workshops that could be delivered in local schools.
Andrew Williams, head of food & drink sector at Santander UK, added: “Food and drink manufacturing is in Britain’s DNA and is why the UK remains a global leader in exporting these goods. We’re thrilled to support the awards again and will continue to support this industry, which is so integral to our economy.”
New for 2019 was the ‘Registered Nutritionist/Dietitian of the Year’ award which celebrates the individuals who support industry in improving the health of the nation.
Meg Longworth, head of nutrition and public health at Chartwells, Compass UK&I, has made a ‘significant contribution’ to the health of young people. She has driven programmes such as Nudge Nudge, sat on All Parliamentary Groups and made keynote speeches.
List of 2019 FDF Award winners:
- ‘Special Recognition’ - John Lea, Morning Foods and Oakes Millers
- ‘Apprentice of the Year’ - Kyle Constable, OAL
- ‘Brand Launch of the Year’ - Britvic Plc (sponsored by Ipsos MORI)
- ‘Campaign of the Year’ - Fare Share
- ‘Community Partner’ - Bags of Taste (sponsored by University of Lincoln)
- ‘Diet & Health’ (Joint Winners) - Kellogg’s
- ‘Diet & Health’ (Joint Winners) - Kerry Taste & Nutrition
- ‘Education Initiative’ - PepsiCo International
- ‘Environmental Leadership’ - Raynor Foods Ltd (sponsored by Food Matters Summit)
- ‘Exporter of the Year’ - Millennium Group (sponsored by Santander)
- ‘Food and Drink Engineer of the Year’ - Alexandra Agg, Mondelēz International (sponsored by Sheffield Hallam University)
- ‘Food and Drink Scientist of the Year’ – David Clark, KP Snacks (sponsored by IFST)
- ‘HR Initiative’ – KP Snacks
- ‘Innovation – Company Shop Group’ (sponsored by Santander)
- ‘Rising Star’ – Jessica Kelly, Premier Food (sponsored by PepsiCo UK)
- ‘Emerging Business’ – The Meatless Farm Co. (sponsored by RSSL)
- ‘Registered Nutritionist/Dietitian of the Year’ - Meg Longworth, Chartwells, Compass UK&I (New for 2019)
- ‘Santander Special Recognition Award’ – Ramsden International
The 2020 FDF Awards will launch in November 2019. For more information on the FDF Awards visit: http://www.fdf.org.uk/fdf-awards.aspx.